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i-4478 Updated 01/07
 Before assembling the arbor press, wipe off the protective shipping grease (leave some grease on the ram and pinion gear) and clean the press with mineral spirits or naphtha.
Assembly
Minor assembly is required to set up the Fretting Arbor System. Refer to the diagram to identify the parts.
Insert the ram into the square opening in the arbor press housing. The ram’s gear teeth should face the rear of the arbor press, and the hole in the end of the ram should face downward.
Insert the pinion gear into the horizontal round hole in the press housing, from the right hand side. Engage the teeth of the pinion with the teeth of the ram.
Place the collar over the shaft protruding from the left side of the arbor press. Tighten the collar’s set screw to secure the pinion gear and the press handle in the press.
A 3/8" bolt with nuts is supplied for installation in the hole on the upper rear of the press frame, on the same side as the press handle. Thread the nut on the bolt first, put the bolt in the hole, and tighten the second nut against the press frame to secure the bolt. This bolt serves as a “stop” for the handle, to minimize the amount of movement required to press the frets into place.
To remove any play in the ram, simply tighten the two tension bolts located on the front of the press.
The end of the arbor press ram has been bored to accept the 3/8" shaft of our Fretting Arbor Set. Install the shaft into the hole and tighten the retaining set screw.
You can adjust the press handle’s fretting position by removing the collar and the pinion shaft, and engaging different gear teeth when reinserting the shaft. For best results, we recommend setting up the press with a neck caul, guitar neck and fretwire in place, and with the ram down on the installed fret. Adjust the press handle to the most comfortable position before replacing the collar.
Using the Fret Press
We recommend practicing with lesser-quality guitar necks to become accomplished at using the fret press. The technique will become easier with practice. As with any method of installing frets, skill and caution are advised. You can “start” the fret with a hammer, or you can leave the wire uncut and press the fret in completely. Don’t let the fret roll over onto its side while pressing it—this can leave an imprint in the fretboard.
Using a hammer, tap one or both ends of the fret firmly into the slot. Install a brass fret caul of the desired radius into the arbor, align it over the fretwire, and bring the press down to meet the wire. Press the fret firmly into the slot, until the upper portion of the fretwire (the “bead”) meets the top of the fretboard. Fretwire with a narrow bead can be driven below the top of the fretboard if excessive pressure is used, so be sure to watch the fret as you press it (this is seldom a problem if you are using jumbo fretwire in an ebony fretboard).
If you prefer not to start the fret with a hammer, you must hold the fretwire firmly. Don’t let the wire roll to one side while pressing it into the slot.
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Fret Press System
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